ANAIS: AN EROTIC EVENING WITH ANAIS NIN.
BY MICHAEL PHILLIPS
DRAMA
Logline: Secrets. Seduction. Betrayal.
Based upon the diaries of Anaïs Nin.
In the 1930’s Anaïs Nin carried on a passionate relationship with Henry Miller, the famed writer. At the time they were both married to other people. Anaïs – to Hugo, and Henry – to June. When June moves to Paris to be closer to Henry, Anais falls in love with June, and becomes almost a rival to her lover, Henry. June blazed her way in and out of all their lives, causing heartbreak and leaving questions that never seemed to be answered.
Anais lived a public life; her diary was exhaustive and complete. But one weekend in the early 1950’s, while Anaïs was living in Los Angeles, she traveled to Arizona. No one, not even her closest friends ever knew why she went there.
The play is set on that missing weekend, at a mental institution, where June is a patient after attempting suicide. Anaïs, through conversations with June, a doctor and an imaginary Henry, the Henry Miller she knew in the early 1930’s, tries to work out why June asked for her and no one else, how she feels about Henry, about June, and if June is still in love with her. It is an emotional, shattering journey of secrets, seduction and betrayal.
Anaïs is the latest play by Michael Phillips, one of America’s most seen playwrights. Born and raised in London, England, Phillips recently moved to Los Angeles and found the rich history of European writers working in this town fascinating. The story of Anaïs came to fruition after stumbling upon her residence in the Silver Lake district. He has read Anaïs Nin’s words for many years, and is honored to bring her voice back to life.
The role of Anaïs is to be originated by Sonia Maslovskaya, an award-winning Russian born actress, who recently moved to Los Angles after excelling on stage in Boston and New York. Ms. Maslovskaya bares a remarkable resemblance to Anaïs Nin both physically and emotionally.
Understudying the role of Anais Nin will be Margarita Maliagros.